Exercise device

Abstract

 An exercise device for use in dystrophy therapy employs a compression spring (26) which provides an adjustable resistance force. Manual application of a push-type force to a handle (40) actuates a cumulative timer circuit (62) for recording the elapsed time at which an exerted force exceeds a pre-established threshold force. The exercise device may also be converted to a pull mode wherein a pull force exerted between a plate (82) and a handle (70,72,75,) connecting the exercise device actuates a cumulative timer circuit (84). The threshold force is adjustable by changing the axial position of the compression spring seat (30).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise devices for employment especially, but not exclusively, in therapeutic programs. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device which is adapted to function in conjunction with the manual application of a moderate pre-established force for an extended time interval.

Background of Invention

[0002] A number of exercise devices are directed to various aspects and configurations for use in conjunction with manually applied compressive forces. U.S. Patent Nos. 2,680,967, 3,365,947 and 3,848,468 generally exemplify exercise devices directed to the measurement of a manually applied compressive force. A number of exercise devices are also directed to devices wherein a clock or timer mechanism is activated in conjunction with the operation of the exercise device. U.S Patent No. 4,463,946 discloses an exercise device which employs a pivotal balance beam on which a test subject stands and wherein a clock mechanism is actuated during the operation of the exercise device.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to the invention there is provided an exercise device including a resistance adjustment means arranged to selectively pre-set the resistance force to be exerted for deforming a compression spring means whose opposed biasing ends are mounted between a spring seat and a variably positionable spring seat and a switch means connected to actuate a timer means to record the elapsed time when a compressive force applied between the seats equals or exceeds the pre-set resistance force.

[0004] The invention in a preferred form is an exercise device for use in various forms of hand therapy. The exercise device comprises a compression spring mechanism which is adapted to provide a variable resistance force to a manually applied compression force exerted against one of the opposing ends of the mechanism. A platform structure can seat one end of the spring mechanism. The other end of the spring mechanism may be seated within a handle which is adapted to facilitate manual application of the compressive force. A variably axially positionable spring seat is adjustable to vary the resistance force of the compression spring mechanism. When a compressive force is applied to the handle at a force level which exceeds a pre-set resistance force, a switch actuates a timer for recording the cumulative elapsed time that the manually applied force exceeds the pre-established threshold. A removable indicator shaft may be provided axially responsive to the position of a spring seat to indicate the pre-selected resistance force of the compression spring. In addition, an indicator light may indicate visually when a compressive force applied to the handle exceeds the threshold force.

[0005] The exercise device is also adaptable for conversion to a pull-mode configuration wherein a second handle is connected to the housing and a plate is suspending form the housing by means of a connector. The connector is anchored at opposite sides of the housing so that a force exerted between the second handle and the plate exerts a resultant compressive force on the compression spring mechanism.

[0006] The exercise device can be made of simple construction which may be easily employed by a patient to provide a ready visual indication of the ongoing progress of a patient with a given exercise subroutine. The device can be made responsive to the manual application of a force to indicate the cumulative time interval within which the manually applied force exceeds a pre-established force threshold.

DRAWINGS:

[0007] 

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view, partly in section and partly broken away, of an exercise device of the present invention in a push mode configuration taken along the line 1-1 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side perspective view of a pull mode configuration of the exercise device of Figure 1,

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the exercise device of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of the exercise device of FIGURE 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] With reference to the drawings, an exercise device 10 is adapted for ready conversion from a push mode configuration illustrated in FIGURE 1 to a pull mode configuration illustrated in FIGURE 2. The exercise device 10 is especially adapted for use in hand dystrophy therapy wherein it is desired to have a patient exert a moderate push or pull-type force equal to or in excess of a pre-established threshold level for a period of time and/or to measure the cumulative time during which the patient exerts such a force.

[0009] With reference to FIGURE 1, the exercise device 10 is of a light weight, compact portable form which is preferably positioned in upright fashion on a planar support base 12. A substantially rectangular platform 14 mounts a substantially rectilinear-shaped housing 16 which is vertically displaceable relative to the platform as will be further described below. The housing 16 encloses electrical circuitry for the exercise device. The housing 16 connecta with a lower peripheral circumferentially extending skirt 18 having a substantially L-shaped section. The skirt 18 forms a lower inwardly directed flange which cooperates with the underside of an upper peripheral shoulder 20 of the platform to form an upper vertical stop which limits vertical movement of the housing relative to the platform. The upper panel of the housing forms a substantially rectangular compression plate 22 having a dimension in one form of the invention of approximately 6 ⅛" x 6 ⅛". (156 millimetre x 156 millimetre) The plate 22 is arranged with sufficient clearance with respect to the platform 14 to permit some travel upon compression.
A steel sleeve 24 is centrally mounted at the top of platform 14 and extends vertically through a central opening of the compression plate 22. The sleeve 24 receives a steel coil spring 26 which provides a variable compressive resistance in accordance with the axial expansion of the spring. The spring 26 is seated at its lower end against the platform by means of a locator seat 28. The upper end of the spring is seated by an upper spring seat 30. Upper seat 30 includes a central threaded bore which is threadably engageable with a threaded bolt 32 for axially adjusting the position of the upper seat and hence the resistance force of the coil spring 26. Bolt 34 includes a hexhead socket 36 for engaging the bolt for rotation thereof to axially set the position of spring seat 30.

[0010] A handle 40 is mounted at the top of compression plate 22. The handle 40 is dimensioned and configured for grasping by the hand of a patient and has a quasi-T-shaped section to accomplish the foregoing function. The handle 40 contains a central bore for receiving the sleeve 24. The handle 40 may be formed from wood and covered with a cloth or plastic material (not illustrated). In a preferred form of the invention the handle is approximately 3 ½ inches (89 mm) with maximum transverse dimension of 3 ⅛ inches (79 mm) at the top. The handle 40 extends uniformly from the front side of the compression plate to the opposite rear side. A vertically extending central bore is formed in the handle 40.

[0011] An upper end of the bore receives an annular plate 42 which engages sleeve 24 and the top of bolt 34 for fixing the axial position of the upper seat 30. A narrow vertically extending bore 44 leads from the top of the handle to the enlarged bore to provide access for engaging the hexhead socket 36.

[0012] A removable indicator shaft 50 cooperates with the lower axially protruding locator end of the upper seat 30 to form a removable load gauge for indicating the pre-set resistance threshold setting of coil spring 26. Shaft 50 is a four-sided elongated member wherein each side includes a staggered series of indicator marks 51 for indicating the position of the upper spring seat and hence the compressive resistance of the spring in accordance with the alignment of the indicator marks with a corresponding scale mark or window (not illustrated). In a preferred form, the indicator marks 51 form a graduated scale in two pound increments (0.907 kg) from 0 to 76 pound (0 to 34.5 Kg with each shaft side being graduated in eight pound (3.63 Kg) increments. A calibration screw 52 is threaded into the top of the shaft to prprovide an axial adjustment for calibrating the scale with the resistance threshold setting of the coil. The indicator shaft 50 extends through a central square opening formed in the lower locator seat 28 and the platform 14. The base 12 is broken away in FIGURE 1 to illustrate the removable load gauge in a mounted configuration. A pin 56 projects upwardly from platform 14 to extend through an opening in the bottom panel of housing 16. A single pole, single throw switch 60 is mounted in fixed relation to housing 16 to actuate a timer 62 when a force applied to the handle exceeds the compression resistance force of the coil spring. With additional reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the housing 16 is vertically downwardly displaceable so that pin 56 depresses switch 60 to actuate the timer. The maximum displacement distance between the fixed platform 14 and the housing 16 from a zero load applied to handle 40 to a maximum load applied to handle 40 is ordinarily only approximately 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). An indicator light 64 is connected in parallel with the timer so that the indicator light is on when the timer is operating. The timer 62 preferably has the form and function of a basic stop watch having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 63 which indicates hours, minutes and seconds. The timer measures cumulative elapsed time. A re-set button 66 may be manually actuated to remove power from the timer to re-set the timer to zero. The timer circuit is powered by a standard 1.5 volt battery 68. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the LCD 63, indicator light 64, and re-set button 66 are located at the top panel of the housing for ready access by the patient. In operation, the exercise device is initially pre-set for use by adjusting the compressive resistance of the coil spring 26. A hexwrench is inserted through opening 44 to engage the hexhead socket 36 for axially adjusting the upper spring seat and hence fixing the threshold compressive resistance. In a preferred form of the invention, the compressive resistance force can be adjustably varied from 3 to 75 pounds (1.36 kg to 34 Kg). The patient then grasps the handle 40 and applies a push (axially compressive) force against the handle. When the applied force exceeds the pre-established compressive resistance threshold, the housing is displaced downwardly a sufficient distance so that pins 56 actuate the switch 60 to start the operation of the cumulative timer 62. The indicator light 64 is also energized by the activation of switch 60. The timer continues to operate the display the cumulative elapsed time at LCD 63 as long as the applied force exceeds the pre-established threshold resistance force. In the event that the applied force decreases below the threshold force, the cumulative timer ceases operation. When a force is reapplied by the patient to exceed the threshold force, the timer continues to accumulate the time commencing with the elapsed time immediately preceding the termination of operation. The timer is re-set to zero upon manually pressing the re-set switch 66.

[0013] The foregoing exercise device may also be readily converted to a pull-type exercise mode as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The orientation of the exercise device is inverted relative to the orientation of FIGURE 1. A pair of L-shaped brackets 70 and 72 engage the top of the compression plate 22 for mounting a handle 74 which extends in spaced relationship from the platform. A U-shaped bracket 74 extends through slots in brackets 70 and 72 and a pair of spaced openings 76 formed in the housing. The bracket 74 and captured brackets 70 and 72 are secured by a pair of wing nuts 78 which tighten against the platform 14. An adjustable length wire cord 79 connects the bracket 74 with a ring 80 extending from a load plate 82. The patient either stands on plate 82 or a weight load is placed on plate 82 with the resulting load force being transferred via bracket 74 to act downwardly against platform 14. A pull force exerted outwardly (upwardly) between handle 74 and plate 82 which is stationary results in a compression force exerted on the exercise device between compression plate 22 of the housing and platform 14. The foregoing adaptation is employed so that the exercise device 10 may also be used in conjunction with pull-type exercises. A second cumulative timer 84 for the pull mode commences operation upon a second pin 58 actuating a switch 86 which is generally similar to switch 60. The pin 58 is fixed to bracket 72. The timer 84 has an associated LCD 85. In addition, a pull mode indicator light 88 and a pull mode re-set switch 90 are employed respectively, for visually indicating when the pull force applied between the handle 74 and plate 82 exceeds the pre-established threshold force of the exercise device and for re-setting the pull mode cumulative timer 84. In preferred form, LCD 85 and indicator light 88 are visually accessible through or at the top of platform 14 for the pull mode configuration of FIGURE 2. Re-set switch 90 may also be located for access at the top (as viewed in FIGURE 2) of platform 14. The resistance threshold force of the spring 26 is pre-set in the same manner as for the push mode configuration of FIGURE 1. The sleeve 24 acts to provide axial sliding guidance in cooperation with the handle 40, whilst the interengagment between the housing 22 and the platform 14 holds the handle 40 against rotation. The spring 26 has a compression force which varies in accordance with the degree of axial compression of the spring 26.

[0014] The device of the invention is particularly useful in the treatment of hand distrophies and can be conveniently employed for exercise programs which require the application of a force or a certain force threshold for an extended time interval to exercise specific groups of muscles such as hand and arm muscles throughout a defined interval of time. The program may be repeated conveniently at increasing force thresholds and periods to gradually strengthen the muscular response.

Claims

1. Exercise device for use in dystrophy therapy characterised in that a resistance adjustment means (32) is arranged to selectively pre-set the resistance force to be exerted for deforming a compression spring means (26) whose opposed biasing ends are mounted between a spring seat (28) and a variably positionable spring seat (30) and a switch means (60) is connected to actuate a timer means (62) to record the elapsed time when a compressive force applied between the seats (28,30) equals or exceeds the pre-set resistance force.

2. Exercise device according claim 1 further characterised in that the spring seat (28) is associated with a platform means (14) on one side of a housing (16) and in that a handle means (40) to facilitate manual application of force of compression encloses the variably positionable spring seat (30) on the other side of the housing (16) with the timer means (62) and switch means enclosed in the housing (16) between the platform means (14) and the handle means (40).

3. Exercise device according to claim 1 or claim 2 further characterised in that the resistance adjustment means (32) includes a means (36,32) to vary axially the position of variably positionable spring seat (30).

4. Exercise device according to any of the preceding claims further characterised in that the resistance adjustment means (32) include a screw (32,36) which threadably engages the variably positionable spring seat (30) to axially displace the seat (30) upon rotation of the screw (32).

5. Exercise device according to claim 2 and claim 4 further characterised in that the screw (32) has a head abutting the handle means (40) and the handle means (40) has a bore (44) for engagement of a head (36) of the screw (32) by a tool to vary the position of the spring seat (30).

6. Exercise device according to any of the preceding claim 1 further characterised in that a shaft (50) responsive to the position of the spring seat (30) is provided to indicate the pre-set resistance force of the compression spring means 26.

7. Exercise device according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that indicator light means (64) are provided to indicate visually when a compression force applied equals to or exceeds the pre-set resistance force.

8. Exercise device according to claim 7 further characterised in that the indicator light means (64) is connected to the switch means (60) to indicate whenever the preset resistance force has been reached, the timer means (62) records the cumulative time during which the force has been reached upon successive actuations and a re-setting means 66 clears the timer means (62) when desired.

9. Exercise device according to any of claims 2 to 8 further characterised in that a further handle means (70,72,75) and a connector (74) for connecting to a base are de-mountably connected to the respective spring seats (28,30) on opposite sides of the housing (16) so that a force exerted on the handle means (70,72,75) in a direction away from the housing means (16) exerts a compressive force on the compression spring means (26).

10. Exercise device according to claim 9 further characterised in that the connector (74) is arranged to be anchored at one end to a base (82) and is removably secured at the other end to the platform means (14).

Drawing